Best Digital Colonization Podcasts (2025)

1
What Next | What the John Bolton Raid Means 27:59

2h ago27:59

27:59

John Bolton isn’t exactly beloved by the right or the left. But sending the FBI to raid his house fits a pattern: Either tell the president what he wants to hear, or face the consequences. Guest: Shane Harris, staff writer covering national security and intelligence for The Atlantic. Want more What Next? Subscribe to Slate Plus to access ad-free li…

1
Rev It Up, Don’t Tone It Down: The Lawsuit Heard Around Bravo 1:08:22

1d ago1:08:22

1:08:22

Ace and Ana are in full rev-it-up mode this week as they unpack the laughable lawsuit threats aimed at Reality Court, spill the piping-hot Miami tea on the Guerdy vs. Kiki drama, and drag the absolute mess happening in Orange County. Oh, and we’re diving deep into the dark side of The Biggest Loser doc, because nothing is off-limits in this courtro…

1
What Next | The Man Behind Trump’s Firing of Lisa Cook 30:47

1d ago30:47

30:47

Federal Housing Finance Agency director Bill Pulte has led investigations into Senator Adam Schiff, New York Attorney General Leititia James, and the Federal Reserve’s Lisa Cook for mortgage fraud. With a background a lot like Trump’s—and a little like Mr. Beast’s—who is Pulte? And what kind of damage could a vengeful FHFA director do? Guest: Rache…

1
What Next | The Womanosphere Wants To Make America Hot Again 30:33

2d ago30:33

30:33

Katie Miller, whose husband Stephen Miller is Trump’s right-hand man, launched a new podcast to join the growing ranks of content made specifically for conservative women. But is there enough demand—in listeners and supplement sponsorship—to make the same impact that the conservative manosphere has? Guest: Emma Goldberg, business features writer at…

1
What Next: TBD | Trump Vs. Cancer Research 30:18

3d ago30:18

30:18

President Trump has proposed cutting $2.5 billion from the National Cancer Institute, which in addition to cuts to the National Institutes of Health and research universities almost makes you wonder: whose side is he on in the fight against cancer? Guest: Angus Chen, cancer reporter for STAT news Want more What Next TBD? Subscribe to Slate Plus to …

1
Slate Money | ATM Scam Summer School 57:42

4d ago57:42

57:42

This week: We got more details on the ATM scam that swept New York City thanks to a teen summer job program and an infinite money glitch last month. Felix Salmon, Elizabeth Spiers, and Emily Peck discuss the mechanics of the scam, the fallout for the many parties involved, and the tragic irony that a program meant to teach teen financial literacy l…

1
Amicus | Punished For Their Pregnancies 45:22

4d ago45:22

45:22

Women were prosecuted for experiencing miscarriage or stillbirth even before the Supreme Court swept away the protections of Roe v. Wade. But these prosecutions have ramped up since, in both red and blue states. The stakes are ramping up too, with legislators introducing bills that would treat abortion as homicide, potentially subjecting patients t…

1
Jet Fuel and Dragging Fools: The Seville Smackdown 1:08:34

5d ago1:08:34

1:08:34

Buckle up, judgy jurors! It’s episode 12 of RHOM and this week we’re notarizing the feuds. From Lisa serving revenge dress realness to the absurdity of jetiquette rules on a 22-minute flight. Larsa spirals, Stephanie doodles and Adrianna puts her foot in her mouth. We’re breaking down the Marbella mess, the petty plane drama, and whether Alexia’s P…

1
What Next: TBD | The CDC Under Fire 24:36

6d ago24:36

24:36

Two weeks ago, a gunman fired over 500 bullets at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention building in Atlanta. Between the anti-public health rhetoric coming from Robert F. Kennedy Jr. at the top, personnel cuts and firings, and now a literal shooting, many employees are reaching their breaking point. Guest: Lauren Weber, health science acco…

1
Political Gabfest | Is This Martial Law? 1:07:04

6d ago1:07:04

1:07:04

This week, Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson, and David Plotz discuss Trump’s deepening takeover of Washington D.C. as National Guard troops from red states arrive, what if anything was accomplished in the whirlwind of Putin-Trump-Zelensky diplomacy, and this week’s launch of the new liberal publication The Argument with its Editor-in-Chief Jerusalem D…

1
The Moon Landing Declassified 35:17

6d ago35:17

35:17

In this episode, we go behind the curtain of one of humanity’s greatest achievements—the Apollo 11 moon landing. More than half a century later, newly declassified documents, astronaut accounts, and hidden details shed fresh light on the mission that captivated the world. We’ll explore the political motives behind the space race, the intense risks …

1
What Next | D.C’s Senator Knew This Would Happen 30:05

7d ago30:05

30:05

Donald Trump was able to take over the Metropolitan Police Department and send in National Guard troops and federal agents to patrol the streets due to Washington D.C.’s strange, not-a-state status. One of the district’s (non-voting) Congressional representatives believes D.C. statehood could come in the backlash. Guest: Ankit Jain, U.S. Senator fo…

1
What Next | Can Trump Kill Mail-In Ballots? 27:35

8d ago27:35

27:35

Donald Trump returned from his meeting with Vladimir Putin convinced that mail-in voting is how he was cheated from winning the 2020 election. Though he’s come to this conclusion without evidence, how much damage can he do to American democracy? Guest: Rick Hasen, UCLA School of Law, Director, Safeguarding Democracy Project, Election Law blog Learn…

1
Todd vs. Alexia: Real Housewives of Miami’s Fakest Stories Exposed 1:28:31

8d ago1:28:31

1:28:31

Reality Court is in full chaos mode as Todd Nepola blows the lid off Real Housewives of Miami. From fake storylines to bot-buying and script writers to Alexia allegedly using her own son for clout. Ana and Ace break it all down with zero mercy. Plus: Marysol’s waspy Tito’s suck-fest (prep school 101), to Larsa calling Lisa a “groupie” (oh, the iron…

1
What Next | Zelensky Brings a Posse to Washington 26:28

9d ago26:28

26:28

After visiting with Vladimir Putin, Volodymyr Zelensky, and European leaders, where does Donald Trump stand on the Ukraine-Russia war—and where does that leave Ukraine? Guest: Tim Mak, editor of the Kyiv-based publication The Counteroffensive. Want more What Next? Subscribe to Slate Plus to access ad-free listening to the whole What Next family and…

1
Slate Money | Money Talks: Fixing A Broken Monetary System 26:30

9d ago26:30

26:30

In this Money Talks: Elizabeth Spiers is joined by professors Matt Sekerke and Steve H. Hanke, coauthors of Making Money Work: How to Rewrite the Rules of Our Financial System. They’ll lay out how the money supply in the US is misunderstood and underweighted in monetary policy, how that flawed system contributed to the global financial crisis, and …

1
Why is Africa So Poor? 14:26

9d ago14:26

14:26

Africa is one of the richest continents in terms of natural resources, culture, and human potential—yet it continues to face poverty and underdevelopment in many regions. In this episode, we dive deep into the economic history of Africa, exploring the impact of colonialism, corruption, global trade imbalances, and modern challenges such as debt, cl…

1
What Next | How Trump Brought Home a Murderer 27:24

10d ago27:24

27:24

Characteristic of this administration’s over-the-top but never-thought-out immigration enforcement, Trump traded more than 250 Venezuelans who had been deported to El Salvador’s notorious CECOT prison for 10 Americans who were being held prisoner in Venezuela—including a man convicted of a triple homicide. Guest: Jonathan Blitzer, staff writer at t…

1
What Next: TBD | Down the Text-Scam Rabbit Hole 33:19

11d ago33:19

33:19

The scam du jour arrives via a text message, offering you a job. What happens when you accept? Guest: Alex Sammon, Slate features writer. Want more What Next TBD? Subscribe to Slate Plus to access ad-free listening to the whole What Next family and all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe today on Apple Podcasts by clicking “Try Free” at the top…

1
Slate Money | Digital Cash. IRL Wrenches. 50:53

12d ago50:53

50:53

This week: Trump continues to involve himself in the operations of large US companies. Felix Salmon, Elizabeth Spiers, and Emily Peck discuss this slide toward state capitalism, which seemingly goes against the GOP’s usual stance on government involvement in business. Then, so called “wrench attacks" are on the rise wherein wealthy crypto holders a…

1
Amicus | When Trump Hits New Jersey, This Lawyer Hits Back 51:09

12d ago51:09

51:09

Law firms, universities, and businesses are bending the knee to the Trump administration at the slightest threat. Amid this shocking cowardice, blue states have been a bastion of defiance against the president’s escalating power grabs—with attorneys general leading the way. Mark Joseph Stern talks with New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin, w…

1
What Next TBD | Trump Dips into NVIDIA’s Chips 26:45

13d ago26:45

26:45

Jensen Huang, cofounder of NVIDIA, finds himself president of a $4 trillion company, at the forefront of A.I. technology, and, consequently, something of an international diplomat, as he charms President Trump and negotiates to sell his powerful chips to China. Guest: Amrith Ramkumar, reporter for The Wall Street Journal in Washington covering tech…

1
Political Gabfest | Humvees on the National Mall 57:59

13d ago57:59

57:59

This week, Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson, and guest host Jamelle Bouie discuss the perils of this week’s Trump-plus-Putin (minus Zelensky) summit in Alaska, how Trump’s claimed crime “emergency” provided pretext for National Guard deployment and takeover of D.C. police, and a new presidential memorandum requiring colleges to share admissions data t…

1
Birkins, Backstabbing & Bad Flamenco: RHOM’s Sevilla Showdown 1:04:19

13d ago1:04:19

1:04:19

The ladies land in Spain and immediately turn the Radisson into a runway for petty power plays, with Stephanie’s Chanel avalanche sending everyone into a designer-fueled frenzy. Julia fumbles for mean-girl approval, Marysol cosplays Tammy Faye Baker, and Alexia’s flamenco moment turns into a tear-soaked comedy sketch. We break down the over-the-top…

1
GEN Z vs the US Government 43:09

14d ago43:09

43:09

This episode explores the legal and cultural clash between rap icon Jay-Z and the United States government, diving into the events, allegations, and public narratives that shaped the dispute. We unpack the facts versus the rumors, the role of media framing, and how celebrity status can influence both perception and outcomes. Whether you’re a fan of…

1
What Next | In Gaza, Journalism Is a Death Sentence 29:24

14d ago29:24

29:24

On Sunday, Al-Jazeera’s entire team in Gaza City were killed by an airstrike. Almost immediately, Israel said it targeted one of them on purpose – Anas al-Sharif. The strike fits a pattern, growing both in Israel and across the world, of targeting journalists—and holding no one accountable afterwards. Guest: Jodie Ginsberg, head of the Committee to…

1
What Next | Why Washington, D.C. 28:55

15d ago28:55

28:55

Jimmy Carter sent his daughter to its public schools; pictures of Obama still grace businesses’ walls; and now Trump has taken an interest in Washington, D.C…by deploying the National Guard, reassigning FBI agents, vowing to evict the city’s homeless population. Guest: Jenny Gathright, reporter at the Washington Post covering the D.C. region. Want …

1
ICYMI | Kendra Fell In Love With Her Psychiatrist—Then She Met TikTok 41:03

15d ago41:03

41:03

On today’s episode, host Kate Lindsay is joined by senior supervising producer Daisy Rosario to talk about Kendra, the woman whose 25-part TikTok series about falling in love with her psychiatrist has captivated the internet. However, what viewers thought would be the next Reesa Teesa “Who The Fuck Did I Marry?” series turned out to be something mu…

1
Sisterfucker: Profound Desires of the Gods w/ Nathan, pt 3 2:12:56

15d ago2:12:56

2:12:56

In this final session, we put the proverbial big old boulder into the sweltering primordial pond with meditations on myths of brother-sister marriage and divorce from the Kojiki (712), the taboo on sibling incest in the mother-right kinship structures of Trobriand Islanders as seen in the anthropology of Malinowski and his debates with dogmatic Fre…

1
Secrets, Scandals & Shade: The Housewives Tea They Don’t Want You to Hear 53:01

15d ago53:01

53:01

From alleged fake résumés to shady political pasts, Ana and Ace spill the piping hot Housewives tea that’s too messy for the reunion. We’re talking lawsuits, screener privilege drama, friendship betrayals, and who might really be on Bravo’s chopping block. Plus Rachel Zoe’s divorce drama, Denise Richards’ messy legal battles, and why RHOC’s “tone-d…

1
What Next | South Park Understands the Assignment 33:05

16d ago33:05

33:05

After using a Trump-stand-in during his first administration, South Park has come back from hiatus as vulgar and confrontational as ever, with its aiming firmly fixed on MAGA. Contrary to government sources, the show’s enjoying a renewed cultural relevance in its 27th season. Guest: David Mack, contributing writer to Slate. Want more What Next? Sub…

1
Solar Lets You Visit. Nuclear Lets You Stay. A delicate conversation. 1:04:34

16d ago1:04:34

1:04:34

Guest: Dr. Bhavya Lal – Former NASA Chief Technologist, MIT-trained nuclear engineer, and architect of U.S. space nuclear policy. The Cosmic Scoop: Nuclear power’s bad Earthly reputation hides its potential as a lifeline beyond our planet. Space is already radioactive—and if we want to stay and build on the Moon, Mars, or Europa, nuclear offers “po…

1
What Next | Gutting Our National Parks 28:51

17d ago28:51

28:51

From the Statue of Liberty to the Golden Gate Bridge, and places in between like Yellowstone and the site of the Battle of Gettysburg, the National Park Service has been a point of American pride since its inception. And with a small budget and actually generating revenue, even fiscal hawks had no reason to complain. So why is the Trump administrat…

1
What Next: TBD | Here Comes the A.I. Music Slop 30:29

18d ago30:29

30:29

It’s hard to make money in the music industry. But if you could flood every streamer with hundreds of “original” songs without having to, you know, write or produce it yourself, there’s money there—and less for everyone else. Guests: Chris Molanphy, host of Slate’s Hit Parade podcast. Kate Knibbs, senior writer at Wired Want more What Next TBD? Sub…

1
What Happens If the U.S. Pays Its $37 Trillion Debt? 42:05

19d ago42:05

42:05

What would it really mean if the United States paid off its $37 trillion national debt? In this eye-opening episode, we explore the far-reaching economic consequences—from slashing interest payments and freeing up funds for education and infrastructure, to disrupting financial markets and jeopardizing investor demand for U.S. Treasuries. We’ll delv…

1
ICYMI | Viral Debates: Crossing the Aisle or Clickbait? 47:49

19d ago47:49

47:49

On today’s episode, hosts Candice Lim and Kate Lindsay are joined by Slate staff writer Aymann Ismail to discuss the controversial YouTube channel, Jubilee. A video of political commentator Mehdi Hasan debating 20 far-right republicans has gone viral, but as Ismail argues in his piece for Slate, it also crossed a line. When political disagreement b…

1
Amicus | Who Gets Left Out of Originalism? 40:26

19d ago40:26

40:26

The official history of America’s founding is often told as a whites-only story, a heroic tale of wealthy white men forging a new nation—with no mention of the people they excluded, displaced, or oppressed. But who gets left out of the story that “originalists” like to tell about the law? This week Mark Joseph Stern talks with Maggie Blackhawk, pro…

1
What Next: TBD | What Happened After Meta Fired Its Fact-Checkers 28:57

20d ago28:57

28:57

In January, Mark Zuckerberg announced that Meta was moving from employing professional fact-checkers to letting its users fact-check each other. If you’ve heard that it’s going perfectly, then you, too, have been exposed to misinformation. Guest: Geoffrey Fowler, tech columnist with the Washington Post Want more What Next TBD? Subscribe to Slate Pl…

1
AI on Air #08: What If AI Colonizes Mars Without Us? 14:28

20d ago14:28

14:28

Welcome to the Mars Chronicles, where AI meets existential dread... and maybe a touch of satire. We're diving deep into the red planet, discussing everything from AI therapists to oat milk mutinies. Strap in for a journey that's equal parts absurd and thought-provoking. 🎙️ In this episode, we get into: 🟨 02:35 — Surviving the Vacuum of Space: - AI …

1
Political Gabfest | Putting the BS in BLS 1:09:30

20d ago1:09:30

1:09:30

This week, Emily Bazelon, David Plotz, and guest host Juliette Kayyem discuss the future integrity of US economic data after Trump fired the head of the Bureau of Labor Statistics, what the mid-decade redistricting arms race portends for the future of US representative government, and the phenomenon of “Trump’s Rasputin,” Laura Loomer. Here are thi…

1
What Next | Donald Trump Vs. Reality Itself 27:22

21d ago27:22

27:22

Donald Trump’s never been all that committed to the truth. But experts are warning that by firing the head of the Bureau of Labor Statistics and appointing loyalists across the judiciary, he’s taken his war on facts to another level. How long can he attempt to remake reality before the truth—someday, eventually, but inevitably—hits back? Guest: Dav…

1
Private Jet Privilege, Gay-for-Pay Allegations, Preppy Posers and a Rabid Rottweiler 56:33

21d ago56:33

56:33

This week on Reality Court, Ace and Ana hold nothing back as they judge the madness that is Real Housewives of Miami. From Adriana’s dog sex storyline (yes, really) to the battle for seats on Stephanie’s private jet, nothing is off-limits. Julia’s adoption drama? Exposed. Gay-for-pay rumors? Discussed. Guerdy’s lube saga? Celebrated. Is Massoud bro…

1
What Next | A Rabbi’s Plea for Peace 31:29

22d ago31:29

31:29

More than a thousand rabbis and Jewish leaders have signed a letter calling for Israel to end “the use and threat of starvation as a weapon of war.” This New York rabbi, who has felt a connection to Israel her whole life, explains why she signed. Guest: Sarah Reines, rabbi at Temple Emanu-El in Manhattan. Want more What Next? Subscribe to Slate Plu…

1
Thirsty? Or Just Doing Their Job? Ana Quincoces, Jen Fessler, and Ace Fanning Expose Bravo’s Housewives Hypocrisy 53:03

22d ago53:03

53:03

On this episode of Reality Court, Ana Quincoces, Jen Fessler (RHONJ), and Ace Fanning are putting Bravo’s biggest double standard on trial: why are ambitious Housewives are labeled “thirsty” while men get called “hungry”? From Jill Zarin’s Scary Island ambush (RHONY) to Kenya Moore’s marching band (RHOA), Alexis Bellino’s headline-grabbing romance …

1
What Next | Don’t Mess With Texas’s Election Maps 28:15

23d ago28:15

28:15

How Texas redrawing its election maps could set off a gerrymandering arms race across the country—a race the Republicans are likely to win. Guest: Ari Berman is a voting rights correspondent at Mother Jones. Want more What Next? Subscribe to Slate Plus to access ad-free listening to the whole What Next family and across all your favorite Slate podc…

1
Slate Money | Money Talks: The Fabulous Wealth of Carrie Bradshaw 30:50

23d ago30:50

30:50

In this Money Talks: Slate’s own Cheyna Roth joins Emily Peck to break down how HBO’s Sex and the City revival And Just Like That…has taken the fantasy of being fabulous in New York City into a whole new tax bracket. They’ll discuss the curious dimensions of the kitchen in Carrie’s Manhattan mansion among other real estate mysteries within the show…

1
Hang Up | Trump vs. the IOC 56:03

23d ago56:03

56:03

Hosts Alex Kirshner, Ben Lindbergh, and Lindsay Gibbs talk to sportswriter Rodger Sherman about how the United States’ immigration maneuvering might affect the Olympics. They also discuss the NFL’s new multibillion dollar deal with ESPN, and how the Minnesota Twins’ massive trade-off could affect the team – and the rest of MLB. On the bonus episode…

1
The Fall of the Roman Empire: What Really Happened? 43:28

24d ago43:28

43:28

Discover the real story behind one of history’s greatest collapses. In this episode, we investigate the complex causes of the fall of the Roman Empire — from political corruption and economic decline to military defeats and internal power struggles. We look beyond the myths to reveal how shifting borders, cultural transformation, and external invas…

1
What Next | Was Democracy Voted Out? 26:11

24d ago26:11

26:11

Belief in democracy was, until quite recently, taken for granted in America. But what if democracy is less a static noun, and more of a dynamic ideal we (could be) working towards? Guest: Osita Nwanevu, contributing editor at The New Republic, columnist at The Guardian, author of “The Right of the People: Democracy and the Case for a New American F…

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Digital Colonization Podcasts

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